Ian McLeod: Tributes paid to Paisley pub boss who ran The Wee Barrel

Ian McLeod, 76, was well known as owner of The Wee Barrel, in Paisley, from 2002 to 2015.

He also owned the Cabin Bar, in Elderslie, and the Cross Keys Inn, in Houston, during a long career in the licensed trade.

The grandad-of-two died of pneumonia on February 6, following a cancer diagnosis in March last year.

Ian McLeod with his granddaughters Amy and Lily

At the age of 15, Ian started working alongside his grandfather as a ‘van boy’ for jam and marmalade company Robertson’s.

He married Madge in 1966 at St Andrew’s Church, in Paisley, and later became an assistant manager at the town’s Chivas Brothers bottling plant.

After he was made redundant, Ian and Madge became business partners and bought the Cabin Bar in 1989.

The couple sold the pub three years later and took over at the Cross Keys Inn, which they ran until the early 2000s.

Ian McLeod with his daughter Carol

Ian’s daughter Carol told The Gazette: “My dad was very hands on and I’ve never seen anyone work so hard in my life.

“He liked working in a pub, as he got to keep people happy and enjoyed telling jokes, especially his one-liners.

“Even right at the end, he was telling jokes to the doctors.”

The Wee Barrel was a stronghold for St Mirren supporters attending matches at the nearby Love Street stadium.

Ian McLeod with Rod Stewart

It was also a regular haunt of rocker Rod Stewart, who often popped in during visits to Scotland.

Carol said: “Rod was very popular and there was always a lot of excitement when he came in.

“He had a good relationship with my dad and I think everyone started texting their friends when he arrived, as the pub was always mobbed.”

After retiring on Hogmanay 2015, Ian devoted his new-found free time to volunteering at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) Heritage Trust, which helps restore and preserve vintage fire engines, firefighting equipment and uniforms.

Ian McLeod taking part in a SFRS Heritage Trust event

He was also a doting grandad to Carol’s twin daughters Amy and Lily.

Carol added: “My dad was the nicest man you could meet and touched so many people’s lives.

“He told jokes, loved Scotland and loved the company of people and making others feel good about themselves. He was a true Scottish rascal, with the biggest heart ever but also a gentleman who was always immaculate in his shirt and smart trousers.”

Ian’s funeral took place at Woodside Crematorium, in Paisley, on February 23.